Two killed after light aircraft crashes in field

Two people have been killed after a light aircraft crashed in a field in Shropshire.

Both the pilot and the passenger of the plane died when the collision took place shortly before 5pm on Monday evening near Shaw Lane, Shifnal, near Telford.

Emergency services attended the crash site but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene, West Mercia Police said.

Both the pilot and a passenger were killed, West Mercia Police said

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been called in to carry out inquiries.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "This is a very sad incident in which two people have tragically lost their lives, we are making sure specially trained officers are making contact with their next of kin and giving them all the support they need.

"We have been working closely with our colleagues from the other emergency services at the scene to make the area safe and ensure the resulting investigation can proceed."

One onlooker described how the plane, which the AAIB said was a microlight aircraft, was flying normally before it suddenly "nosedived".

John Taylor, a 37-year-old geography teacher who was watching the skies from a few miles away, told the Press Association: " I was in the park with my two kids and happened to look up and see the plane.

"I watched it for a few seconds, all seemed normal but then it seemed to be getting lower.

"All of a sudden it nosedived to the ground. It dropped below the roofs of the houses so I didn't actually see it land."

The site of the crash was near Shifnal airfield, where the Wrekin Microlight Flying Club is based.

A microlight is a light-weight aircraft designed to hold a maximum of two people and requires a pilot's licence to be flown.